High Notes, Vol 13 No 14, May 18 2012

From the Principal

High Talent It was a great effort by Leonard Mah (Year 9) to finish 9th at the All
Schools Swimming carnival in the U15 50m freestyle – congratulations! Well done to
Alexander Hughes (Year 12) who won his local final of the Sydney Morning Herald Plain English
Speaking Award. Our Eastside Debating teams in Years 11 (Khushaal Vyas, Agnish Nyak, Wilber
Koslowski, Connor Robinson and George Dzero) and 12 ( Christopher Chiam, Julian Edgtton and
Robert Sternhell), retained their titles after last Friday night’s final debates. Our MUNA
representatives – Wilber Koslowski, Connor Robinson and Khushaal Vyas- brought back the
‘I-pad’ first prize after successfully representing Indonesia in the Wollongong
Assembly of the Model UN. Congratulations to all team members! The Stewart House fundraiser on
Friday raised $2642.70! Congratulations to Year 7 and all the CSC team who worked so hard to make
the day a success.

Mufti day regulation The idea behind Mufti days is that as a student, you get an
opportunity to help others by making a $2 donation to a good cause. Unlike normal donations,
there is a benefit for participants – they get to wear casual clothes to school for the
day. To break the routine and give your uniform a rest (or a chance to get laundered) comes at a
price. Students have a choice not to participate in these charity fundraisers. If they wear
school uniform on Mufti days they opt out. However, those who come in Mufti will be expected to
pay the donation.

Year 12 Reports Parents should be expecting their sons to bring home their Year 12
first semester reports for perusal and discussion. When interpreting results that have been
scaled using historical data and a professionally prepared prediction program, it should be
remembered that the school performed really well in quite a few courses, notably English,
chemistry and mathematics, last year at the HSC. The predictions of achievement are based on the
premise that this year’s cohort can replicate last year’s success.

Regional iPad Trial Mobile tablet (touch screen) technologies afford instant and
creative access to online resources. Teachers are no longer at the centre of the everyday
learning process for children and the potential instructional time for education is 24/7. There
has been a rapidly expanding ‘app culture’ since the availability of the iPhone in
2007. Tablet users can download their choices from 500,000 ‘apps’ (mobile
applications) in iTunes App Store. Sydney Region commissioned an evaluation to provide
evidence-based data about the practical and technical implications of deploying iPads in Primary
School classrooms. In 2011, 75 iPads were used with 90 students, 5 teachers and three schools.

Teacher planning and preparation time was impacted by the need to evaluate and procure apps,
assess their relevance to the NSW curriculum and then install them on the devices. Teachers
tended to map the use of the iPad to the existing curriculum. Apps were mainly games-based, with
the advantages of instant feedback, competition and differentiation by levels. The more useful
apps were those that were content-creation or ‘productivity’ capable, as they
promoted higher order thinking skills and afforded creative and individualised opportunities.
Teachers and students felt the devices supported and enhanced learning. Student-centred,
innovative approaches to learning were facilitated. Video, still photography and voice recording
were integrated in student products. Students shared digital work readily via the interactive
whiteboard.

There were limitations to the usefulness of these single-consumer devices. Internet connectivity
with a proxy server, exporting work, setting up the devices and establishing iTunes accounts,
were seen as barriers to widespread use of iPads. However, the device lends itself to creative
pedagogical approaches and task design. App selection rubrics will be created. An online app
database could provide a collaborative environment for teachers. Critical and visual literacy
skills will have to be taught explicitly. How will we store and share student content created on
mobile devices? Local school access to DEC ‘wifi’ network would be one way but all
devices would have to be locally configured and supported. For further reading see Dr Kristy
Goodwin’s executive summary of the evaluation of the Trial of iPads in Sydney Region at
http://clic.det.nsw.edu.au/clic/documents/iPad_Evaluation_Sydney_Region_exec_sum.pdf
Dr K A Jaggar

Die Deustche Frage

Keine Anhung? Stumped? But it is elementary, my dear Watson! Have another look at
last week’s question. This week’s clue: 118.Frau St Leon

The SBHS-SGHS University Information Evening

On Tuesday 22 May, Sydney Boys High School will be once again hosting the SBHS-SGHS University
Information Evening. Students will be able to talk to representatives from:

UNSW

Sydney University

UTS

Macquarie University

ANU

UWS

KPMG

Price Waterhouse Coopers

Education USA

and more.

Doors will open at the Great Hall at 6.00pm sharp. The evening runs until 8.00pm. All Year 12
students are expected to attend. Year 11 students are welcome.

High Family

The Bulletin Board for Sydney Boys High P & C

If you would like to have any parent community news or upcoming events included in High Society,
please contact Ian Sweeting P&C President
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Year 10 Parent Information Evenings

The parent information evening for Year 10 parents is scheduled for Thursday May 24,
6:00pm in the Great Hall. A presentation on subject selection for Year 11 will be included in the
evening, so not to be missed. Year 10 parents should have received an email confirming the
details of the evening at which both Mr. Gifford (Year 10 Adviser) and Mr. Dowdell will be
present. If you haven’t received this email, please contact your Year Group Representatives
at
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for more information.

Years 8 and 9 Parent Information Evenings

Our apologies to parents of Years 8 and 9 for the necessary re-scheduling of the parent
information evenings with your Year Advisers. This is the first year where these evenings are
being undertaken across the school and we are experiencing some teething problems with timing.
Nonetheless, we strongly encourage parents to avail themselves of these opportunities to get
together with their Year group and Year Adviser in what are informal and informative sessions.
Years 8 and 9 Year Group Representatives will contact parents to advise them of the dates for the
re-scheduled meetings.

Contact Year 8 Year Group Representatives at
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for more information.
Contact Year 9 Year Group Representatives at
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for more information.

Music Notes

Annual Music Camp

The Annual Music Camp will be held at The Tops Conference Centre, Stanwell Tops this year from
Monday-Wednesday (28th - 30th May 2012). We invite ALL students in the Music Performance
Program to attend the 3-day camp. Music Staff and instrumental tutors will rehearse new
repertoire that will be performed at the Camp Concert upon return to school Wednesday afternoon.
Please make payments of $280 to the front office ASAP if you have not already done so, as
numbers need to be finalised for transport and accommodation by Friday 18th May 2012.

Buses will depart from Driver Ave, Fox Studios at 8am on Monday 28th May, please ensure you
are there with your instrument and luggage on time.

Music Performance Program

Students in the Music Performance Program, ALL Music Ensembles are now up and running,
please ensure that you are attending the appropriate Ensembles as 80% attendance to
rehearsals is required for award scheme points.

The 2012 ensemble rehearsal timetable is provided below:

Time

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Morning rehearsals7.45am unless stated otherwise

Intermediate
Concert BandRoom 201

Chamber ChoirRoom 201

Junior Stage BandRoom 201

Senior String EnsembleRoom 101

Symphony OrchestraRoom 201

Senior Stage BandRoom 101

Intermediate Stage BandRoom 101

Senior Concert BandRoom 201

Saxophone EnsembleRoom 201 8:45am

Training Concert BandRoom 202Terms 2, 3, 4

Philharmonic OrchestraRoom 208

Marching BandTERM 1 & 4MPW

Junior
String EnsembleRoom 208

Woodwind EnsembleRoom 202

Afternoon rehearsalsStart @ 3.30pm

Marching BandTERM 1 & 43.30 - 4.30pm

Jazz EnsembleRoom 201

Percussion EnsembleRoom 201

SBHS Debating

MIC Report

Huge congratulations to Year 11 and Year 12 Eastside Teams who were able to hold onto their
winning titles on Friday evening. Further congratulations to our MUNA team (featured in the photo
right) who represented Indonesia at the MUNA conference in Wollongong and came first out of 26
school teams. They now are heading to Canberra for the National Finals.

Over the next two weeks there will be FED Semi Finals. Year 9 and Year 12 are this week at St
Joseph’s and Years 8, 10, 11 will be the following week at Trinity. I hope we have many
wins and get through to the finals which are at Knox the following week.

In addition this week and next week we have Social debates with Meriden and then Newington so it
is a busy time for debaters (and the coaches and me!)Rachel Powell
MIC Debating

Debating Prefect Report

The lead up to the GPS season continued well for our senior teams, with both Years 11 and 12
(pictured right with coach Dom Bowes) winning the finals of the Eastside competition. Both teams
were up against arch rivals Grammar with the topic "that electorates should be able to call an
election at any time to remove an MP." In two very close debates our teams ended up on top,
maintaining High's dominance of the Eastside competition at a senior level in recent years. Semis
and finals for FED are also starting, with Years 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 qualifying for the semis
held at St Joseph’s and Trinity over the next two weeks. Good luck to all our teams!

With GPS selections beginning in a few weeks, now would be a great time to come and watch our
senior debaters. They are at an exceptionally high level and are of great assistance in allowing
juniors to watch quality debates to help develop their skills. For seniors, debates start at 8
and I hope to see some juniors attending as the GPS season draws closer.Christopher Chiam
Debating Prefect

More information can be found at www.sydneyhigh.org.au/debating and will be emailed to
you on a weekly basis.
Please CHECK YOUR EMAIL regularly and ensure we have current contact details for both students
and parents.
PARENTS: If you are not receiving weekly emails about debating please email us at
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and ask to be added to the parent group for your child’s year.

Fencing Report

Senior Foil, Sabre and Epee

On Saturday 12 May Senior Fencers competed in the School Championship Individuals at the
Marrickville PCYC, a new venue following years at Newington.

In the inaugural Epee event six SBHS fencers entered and Shaun Pak and Ashley Chan both received
bronze medals. In the Foil event, run over two Saturdays ten fencers entered and Shaun Pak and
Hayden Rabone qualified for the finals on Saturday 12 May. Hayden and Shaun fenced solidly
ranking 6th and 11th respectively in a field of 56. Of the six Sabre fencers competing on the
12th Ian Li won a bronze medal and Yiu Tao and Mathew Chan narrowly missed out on medals.

It has been a disjointed beginning to the season with our seniors missing training in the lead up
to the competition due to exams. Results were pleasing under the circumstances. All seniors
should be attending UNSW for compulsory training on Wednesday afternoons or have made alternative
arrangements known to me by now.

A lot of new equipment has been purchased to facilitate the inclusion of Epee and Sabre into our
training program catering to the individual fencing styles of our students. Please ensure all
payments are finalised for fencing in order to continue to stock the necessary equipment to
ensure a satisfying fencing experience for all boys.J May
MIC

From the Canteen

It is with great pleasure that the canteen committee has this week been able to give the P&C
$40,000.00, the first instalment of our 2012 donation. This money is raised from our
sons’ canteen purchases and made possible because of the fantastic management of the
canteen by Karen and Tracey. We are one of the few remaining school canteens which is not
privately run and where all profits are returned to the school. All the boys benefit when the
money is spent on improvements to their learning environment and facilities. This would not be
possible without the invaluable help of our volunteer parents.

Thank you to our volunteers last week.The Canteen Team

SBHS Rugby

High Rugby = High Spirit

2012 Jersey Presentation

Before the St Pius match the first XV had a breakfast and were presented their jerseys by a
relative and guest speaker Andrew Blades (Assistant Coach of the Australian Rugby Union team).

High v St Pius Results

The St Pius fixture proved very competitive for Sydney Boys High School with three wins, one draw
and eight losses with 16As, 16Bs and 3rd grade narrowly losing.

Team of the week 15Cs for their brilliant 52-5 win.

Players of the week Two players on debut, both did chip and chases for tries –
Tom Hughes in First XV and Oliver Lethbridge in 14As.

Team reports – Each week one team/age group report will feature in the High
Notes with the rest going on to the school website via the rugby link.

The High 13’s on Saturday fielded a team of first time “rookies” with
only three players with any rugby experience. They learned a lot about the game in a short space
of time and will be better for the run in our next game. Congratulations to all players, you have
now joined the ranks of High rugby players and I am sure you will enjoy the season.G Stein

For the majority of the boys this was their first game of rugby and from all accounts they really
enjoyed the experience. It was also pleasing to see all of the mighty 13s cheer and support each
other before and after each game. The highlights were when we scored a try in each game. It was
evident St Pius was well prepared, as they have had many training sessions and games together.
Just like St Pius the mighty 13s can improve by continuing to learn/train and play rugby
together. Training is just like playing rugby so you need to be prepared by bringing the right
equipment- mouthguard, boots and your own water bottle.P Scrivener & Mr Aldous

Game schedule

19th May

St.Stanislaus vs. High

26th May

Interschool Trial

2nd June

The Armidale School vs. High

6th June

St.Augustine’s (1st XV only)

16th June

High vs. Grammar

21st June

High vs. Melbourne High (U15s)

22nd/23rd June

High vs. Cranbrook (1sts and 2nds only)

21st July

High vs. Waverley

28th July

High vs. Newington

4th August

St. Ignatius vs. High

11th August

High vs. Shore

18th August

Kings vs. High

25th August

St. Josephs vs. High

1st September

High vs. Scots

8th September

Grammar vs. High

Training

It is expected that all boys are attending all sessions.

Monday after
school -MPW

Wednesday –
during sport

Wednesday after
school - MPW

Thursday
during sport

Thursday
after school

Friday morning

13s

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•

•

14s

•

•

•

15s

•

•

•

•

16s

•

•

•

1sts/2nds

•

•

•

3rds

•

•

Sports Donations

GPS sports competition is very demanding on people and resources. At High we have ongoing needs
for facilities development, equipment and development through expert coaching. If you would like
to help through a tax deductible donation for a particular sport, the appropriate form can be
posted to you by calling 9361 6910. Alternatively, you can go to our website www.sydneyboyshigh.com click on Sport/Sports Donations to
download either Development Donation Form or Equipment and Facility Donation Form.